Wilbur Groos

Wilbur “Webb” John Groos of Ames, Iowa passed away on Friday July 17, 2026, at the age of 83. He was born on February 1, 1943, in Washington, DC where he grew up as an Air Force brat, moving all over the country and even to the UK for part of his high school education. Webb enlisted in the Marine Corps at the age of 17 and served as a Force Recon Rifle Platoon Leader reservist until 1968. As a student of forestry, he ended up becoming a member of the Converse Ranger Station “Hot Shot” crew, which specialized in wildland fire management in Northern California in the mid-1960s. Webb worked as California Highway Patrol officer from 1968-1970 and then served on the Iowa State Patrol from 1970-1988 and during that time period, he also became a private pilot. He received honors for his marksmanship and was a firearms instructor for the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy. In addition, he received numerous service commendations. The last part of his state patrol career was spent as a SWAT team member as well. Most notably during his service with the Iowa State Patrol, Webb rescued an entire family from certain carbon monoxide poisoning death one cold February Saturday night in 1988 which was legendary. Though he previously attended Humbolt University in California in the 1960s, Webb graduated from Drake University years later here in Iowa. Because he had a passion for firearms, Webb also became a trained gunsmith and for a short time, had his own business doing that work.

Webb was actively involved in the Des Moines “Plastic Surgeons” model club, who became like family to him. And he had a life-long interest in WWII aircraft and history. He loved the P-51 aircraft like no other. His time in England as a teenager forged an appreciation for British humor (which he passed on to his daughter Amy), and Webb had several funny anecdotes from his time in the UK. He had all sorts of notable “Webbisms” that are infamous to this day, along with that sarcastic wit we all came to enjoy. Webb loved movies and many television shows, and his idols were the actors Steve McQueen (whom dad helped one night on the CHP) and Clint Eastwood. Anytime “Animal House”, “Caddyshack” and “Neighbors” were on, he loved laughing at those no matter how many times he’d seen them. One of his all-time favorite action movies was “Blue Thunder”. His love of law enforcement and appreciation of anything related to First Responders was something passed onto his son, Barry. “Emergency” and “Adam 12” were always shows he loved when we were kids. Webb enjoyed the natural world and appreciated the beauty of the Californian and Colorado mountains and deserts, as well as the open skies and rolling hills of the Iowa countryside. Webb loved autumn drives through Boone County especially the Ledges area and Don Williams State Park. He had a huge fascination of raptors. He deeply loved animals and often donated to causes related to them. Webb’s beloved pet cats, Cleo and Ruby, were his dearest companions while they were on this Earth.

Webb is preceded in death by his father, John Groos, and mother, Grace Hutchinson. Webb is survived by his twin children, son Barry Webb Groos and daughter Amy Groos Wilder, son-in-law Greg Rowland, and grandson Finn Rowland, all of Ames, Iowa, and his cousin Joe Groos of Pleasant Hill, Oregon. He is also survived by his former spouse, Beverly Ann Clark Floss of Baxter, IA.

Amy would like to thank Barry for the meticulous care and compassion he showed our Dad as his devoted caretaker for the past three years, not to mention in his final days. Both Amy and Barry also thank the wonderful team at Westhaven Community, as well as Mary Greeley Home Health/Therapy teams, and Mc Farland primary care and physical therapy for their care after Dad’s accident in 2023. We’d like to thank Ames Fire, Mary Greeley EMS, and Unity Point Life Flight along with the Unity Point ICU and Powell unit teams. Without them, we would have lost dad three years earlier than we did. Since February 2026, the team at Wesley Life Hospice and Palliative Care, especially Trevor and Steffie, were outstanding in their support of dad.

A celebration of life will be arranged at a future time. If anyone is so inclined, donations in Webb’s name to any animal rights organizations, especially Boone Area Humane Society or veterans’ organizations such as Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, would be much appreciated.

Dad, your tour of duty ended here, July 17, 2026 where you signed off 10-42 and 10-7 on earth. Now 10-41 and 10-8 in heaven, you’ll forever patrol those highways in the sky. We love you dad.